词典 (cídiǎn) — dictionary

词典 (cídiǎn)

词典 is the standard word for a dictionary, particularly one organized around words and their definitions. It differs slightly from 字典 (zìdiǎn), which focuses on individual characters. In everyday speech 词典 and 字典 are often used interchangeably.

Meanings

1. [noun] Dictionary; lexicon (a reference book of words and meanings).

Example Sentences

我不认识这个词，去查一下词典。 Wǒ bù rènshi zhège cí, qù chá yīxià cídiǎn. I don't know this word; let me look it up in the dictionary.

你有英汉词典吗？ Nǐ yǒu Yīng-Hàn cídiǎn ma? Do you have an English-Chinese dictionary?

这本词典解释得很清楚。 Zhè běn cídiǎn jiěshì de hěn qīngchǔ. This dictionary explains things very clearly.

现在很多人用手机词典查单词。 Xiànzài hěn duō rén yòng shǒujī cídiǎn chá dāncí. Nowadays many people look up words with a phone dictionary.

Collocations

Memory Hook

词 means "word" and 典 means "classic text / canon." A 词典 is the canonical text of words — the book where every word has its proper place.